For Gem Enthusiasts

Although hard enough for jewelry use, rare hambergite is a gem for collectors of the unusual. Its combination of high birefringence and very low…

Sphalerite occurs in many colors. With a dispersion over three times that of diamond and an adamantine luster, faceted specimens make beautiful…

Selling lab-created cut gems can be quite difficult. Learn what makes this market hard to crack and the best ways to make money cutting synthetic…

Aragonite is more commonly found as a constituent of pearl and shell nacre than as a crystal suitable for gem cutting. Too soft for most jewelry use,…

Don’t be fooled by overgraded diamonds. Learn how diamond grading reports from different labs can impact the quality of the stone you purchase.…

Amber is the hardened resin of ancient pine trees. This organic substance is most well-known for the incredible inclusions of insects that can…